Auto steering-wheel attachment



Patentel Sept. 2l, 1926.

UNITED sra Y 4amws'rus'mr. anni, or crNcrNNa'rr, onro.

AUTO STEERING-BIELATTACHMENI Application led December 12, 1928. SerialNb. 680,281?.

My invention relates to structures to be mounted above the face ofautomobile steering wheels to provide a mounting for variousconveniences such as matches, cigarettes, ash pockets, ladies powderboxes, and the like, Writing pads, mlrrors, electric light, etc.

In the provision of a structure to mounted above the-face of thesteering wheel of a motor vehicle, the first re uisite is that thestructure be adapted for different styles of mounting, and forarrangement of accessories in different groupings on the structure. Torovide a structure to fit but one steering w eel, and with a definiteand noninterchangeable arrangement of accessories, will not result in acommercial pro osition, in view of the very wide multipiicity ofsteering wheel structures, 'locking steering wheels and the like, and inview of the fact that no two persons will have exactly the same tastesin arranging the several accessories which it is possible to carrywithin the steering wheel space.

It is the object of my invention to provide a mountingmplate, which Iterm a palette, which can mounted on a wide variety of steering wheels,and which rovides means for mounting in almost any esired relation, awide range of accessories for convenience of the vehiclel driver.

I accomplish my said objects by that certainvconstruction andarrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically pointed out andclaimed.

In the drawing: v

Figure l is a top plan view of one arrangement of the palette of myinvention.

Figure 2 is a section taken across the showing in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the full circle palette with the coveringpartially broken away.

Figure 4 is a like view of the half circle styles of palette.

Figure 5 4is a detail vertical section show ing one mode of mounting thepalette devices on spokes of a wheel.

Figure 6 is a detail of the manner in which a match box holder can bearranged on the palette.

Figure 7 is a plan view of which may be provided for mounting of thepalettes in steering wheels where the spokes are not available orsuitable.

It will be understood that I have not attempted to show in the drawingsany more a form of spider than several forms which my invention maytake, and that the drawings and description that follow shouldl be takenas explanatory of lseveral forms which illustrate my inventlon ratherthan stating the only forms possible whlch said invention may. take.

Referring first to the palette, I have provided a plate 1 of metal,which is forami` nated as with the holes 2, 'and covered with a fabric3, such as for example, a green bilf liard cloth.

In instances where the sector for gasoline and spark levers preempts thespace where a full circle palette could be mounted, I provide halfcircle palettes as illustrated in the right and left hand portions 4 and5 of Figure 4.

4I have shown a steering wheel at 6, with steering column housing at 7,and control lever sector at 8. In many styles of steering wheel the hubof the wheel is held down on the steering column by means of `devicesthrough which the motor. horn is sounded, and I have illustrated a part9, as indicating the nut which holds the steering wheel down, and part10, as whatever horn sounder that maybe used. Since the point of thearrangement is that the nut 9 shall hold the palette 1 down fast withthe steering wheel, it is not believed to be necessary to show inldetail any form of horn sounder.

In order to provide that thel alette may lie fairly close to thesteering w eel spokes, it will be my practice to leave a central hole 11therein, which hole will be large enough to clear the usual steerinwheel hub devices.

Thus one form of my invention lis to place the palette on the hub of thesteering wheel 4and secure it down l011 the hub with some form of wheelvmounting element. This will provide an adaptation of :ny-invention to awide variety of motor vehicle steering wheels.

In cases where the spokes of the steering wheel are so arranged withrelation to the hub that the palette can be set down around the hub withthe body of thepalette resting fairly close to the spokes, I can mountthe palette on the spokes of the wheel with clamps. x

In Figure 5 has been shown a clamp' consisting of a lower member 12, andan upper member 13, with bolts 14 for securingthe two parts in clamping-relation about the to insert rubberl gasket,

or any packing material 16 .clamp portions land the spoke. The topspider which will be clamped around the` steeringcolumn either above orbelow the steering wheel.,` This clampv has a two column or wheel hubengaging portions 20 and 2 1, and the arms 22 and 23 radiate from thetwo clamp portions. By mounting the clamp portions at aconvenient point,a spoke device is provided onto which the palette can be arranged. Thespokes will be perforated with tapped holes 17a., into which screws, asindicated in the' instance of screws 17 can beset to hold the paletteonto the arms.

-Should the4 mounting point be below the steering wheel, then-it willbev necessary to use the sectional form of Figure 4.

This sectional form can also be used where the control lever sector ismounted above the Steering wheel, it being required in such a case touse the half palette, and to tap sevv eral holes into the sector plate,unless some convenient screw hole can be found in the plate, as providedwith the vehicle, this last being usually the case. In either event,however, screws can be'thrust throughthe palette, and engaged into theholes in the sec.- tor plate, thereby holding the half circle palette inplace. v

In mounting any devices on the palette,

i they need be provided 'merely with a bolt hole or holes. I. haveillustrated in Figure 1 a series of devices 30 mounted around thepalette.. In Figure 6, I have 'illustrated in larger scale a vmatch boxholder 3l of the usual type, through which asses a small bolt 32, thepalette top cloth eing punched away, and one of the holes through themetal plate serving to permit the bolt shank to pass through thepalette.

It should be observed that in all styles there is quite a liberal spacebetween the rim of the steering wheel and the hub, in which the palettecan be set, without interfering with the manipulation of the wheel,

and in my preferred forms the palette is made of a size which will notinterfere with the hub of any standard style of'steering wheel..- I j Itshould also be noted that by providing a standard form of palette, andprovidinglthe dealer wit-h the several forms of mounting. device, itwill be a simple problem to work out the best mode of mounting thevpalette on any style of steering wheel. Should a manufacturer desire toequip' his vehicles with the device, it will then be practical to makeup a special form, adaptedv for 'use with the particular` wheel inquestion.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim'as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. A device for use adjacent the steering wheel of a motor vehiclecomprising a plate element having vinterspaced holes thereinthroughwhich Shanks of mounting device for accessories can pass, andmeans for lmounting the said plate element adjacent a steering Wheel,said plate being covered with a fabric on the top to conceal the saidholes.

2.v Adevice for usev adjacent the steering Wheel of a motor vehiclecomprising a plate element havinga. clearance at the axis thereof for asteering wheel hub or column, said plate foraminated and covered with acloth top facing, and means for mounting the plate adjacent Ithesteering wheel with its axis at the axis of said wheel.

AUGUSTUS LEE READ.

